The Al Chabib and Fayez family are reunited in Abu Dhabi after two decades apart. Most fled to the UK in the late 1990s, but some stayed and suffered persecution at the hands of the Houthi militia. Khushnum Bhandari for The National
The Al Chabib and Fayez family are reunited in Abu Dhabi after two decades apart. Most fled to the UK in the late 1990s, but some stayed and suffered persecution at the hands of the Houthi militia. Khushnum Bhandari for The National
The Al Chabib and Fayez family are reunited in Abu Dhabi after two decades apart. Most fled to the UK in the late 1990s, but some stayed and suffered persecution at the hands of the Houthi militia. Kh
Since the Houthi rebel group took over parts of Yemen, one of the ways it has threatened to reset the country's rich identity has been by targeting its social fabric. In the case of the few Yemenite Jews left in the country, the Houthis are committed to ending their presence entirely.
The community has lived under oppression in Yemen for decades, since even before the Houthi coup more than five years ago. Many migrated to the West and Israel. Now, the plight of those who remain – estimated to number between just 20 and 40 individuals – is intolerable. Soon, they may leave, too.
In the Gulf, religious diversity is not just a contemporary phenomenon
Their departure would represent one of the great cultural losses in the history of Yemen, and one that is echoed across the Arab world; Jewish communities have dwindled in several Arab countries over the past century. Much of that phenomenon is the result of incidents of persecution, which amounts to an unacceptable number of personal catastrophes for Jewish families who were forced to leave the only lands they and their ancestors have ever known. War and politics have displaced millions in the region, including millions of Palestinians who lost their homes due to occupation.
The Yemen security situation has rapidly deteriorated over the past few years, with famine, illness and terrorism threatening the wellbeing of citizens. EPA
In the Gulf, religious diversity is not just a contemporary phenomenon. While it is likely that Jews first settled permanently in Yemen around 300 BC, some historians suggest Jews first arrived in the country as far back as the 10th century BC. In 1998, scholars published news of the discovery of a Jewish tombstone in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. The stone mourns the passing of a man named David, who was most likely a trader from the Persian Jewish community. These finds continue to prove wrong the ideologies of groups like the Houthis, who simplify the history of the region to bolster a fragile sense of their own legitimacy.
Yesterday, The National reported on a reunion in Abu Dhabi this month of the Al Chabib family, the majority of whom fled Yemen for the UK two decades ago. Only the grandparents and an unlce remained behind, in increasingly unsustainable circumstances. Now, after an effort co-ordinated by the UAE government, their lives are no longer in danger.
Years of civil war have taken a heavy toll on Yemen's heritage. In spite of Houthi vandalism, however, the nation's Jews, even in their absence, remain part of the country's history. Support from states such as the UAE reinforce this fact, and will continue to counter the harmful, invented narratives of extremists.
It also brings peace to families like the Al Chabibs, who have been traumatised for so long. In the words of the family's patriarch, Sulaiman Chabib, "I now know what happiness truly is. My heart and eyes are full of joy."
The Houthi's opposite vision for Yemen sustains its havoc on innocent people. Eventually it will fail, as long as nations continue to assert the truth and beauty of the diversity embodied within the culture and history of the Middle East.
Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
The bio
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France
Favourite pastime: Family and friends, meditation, discovering new cuisines
Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 plus rear-mounted electric motor
Power: 843hp at N/A rpm
Torque: 1470Nm N/A rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.6L/100km
On sale: October to December
Price: From Dh875,000 (estimate)
((Disclaimer))
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Prize money: $50,000 (Dh183,650) for winners and $10,000 for those on the shortlist.
Winning novels: 13
Shortlisted novels: 66
Longlisted novels: 111
Total number of novels submitted: 1,780
Novels translated internationally: 66
Company Profile
Name: Thndr Started: 2019 Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr Sector: FinTech Headquarters: Egypt UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi Current number of staff: More than 150 Funds raised: $22 million
Flying to Guyana requires first reaching New York with either Emirates or Etihad, then connecting with JetBlue or Caribbean Air at JFK airport. Prices start from around Dh7,000.
Getting around:
Wildlife Worldwide offers a range of Guyana itineraries, such as its small group tour, the 15-day ‘Ultimate Guyana Nature Experience’ which features Georgetown, the Iwokrama Rainforest (one of the world’s four remaining pristine tropical rainforests left in the world), the Amerindian village of Surama and the Rupununi Savannah, known for its giant anteaters and river otters; wildlifeworldwide.com
All matches in Bulawayo Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
WORLD RECORD FEES FOR GOALKEEPERS
1) Kepa Arrizabalaga, Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea (£72m)
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
The biog
Favourite car: Ferrari
Likes the colour: Black
Best movie: Avatar
Academic qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in media production from the Higher Colleges of Technology and diploma in production from the New York Film Academy
if you go
The flights
The closest international airport to the TMB trail is Geneva (just over an hour’s drive from the French ski town of Chamonix where most people start and end the walk). Direct flights from the UAE to Geneva are available with Etihad and Emirates from about Dh2,790 including taxes.
The trek
The Tour du Mont Blanc takes about 10 to 14 days to complete if walked in its entirety, but by using the services of a tour operator such as Raw Travel, a shorter “highlights” version allows you to complete the best of the route in a week, from Dh6,750 per person. The trails are blocked by snow from about late October to early May. Most people walk in July and August, but be warned that trails are often uncomfortably busy at this time and it can be very hot. The prime months are June and September.
The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders
Stuart Kells, Counterpoint Press
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.6-litre turbo
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Power: 165hp
Torque: 240Nm
Price: From Dh89,000 (Enjoy), Dh99,900 (Innovation)
'Avengers: Infinity War'
Dir: The Russo Brothers
Starring: Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Robert Downey Junior, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen
Four stars
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
West Asia Cup - Winners: Bahrain; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
West Asia Trophy - Winners: Dubai Hurricanes; Runners up: DSC Eagles
Final West Asia Premiership standings - 1. Jebel Ali Dragons; 2. Abu Dhabi Harlequins; 3. Bahrain; 4. Dubai Exiles; 5. Dubai Hurricanes; 6. DSC Eagles; 7. Abu Dhabi Saracens
Fixture (UAE Premiership final) - Friday, April 13, Al Ain – Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
